The Silkmen continued their unbeaten pre-season campaign with a 2-1 victory over a Wolverhampton Wanderers XI at the Leasing.com Stadium, dedicated to remembering and celebrating the life of Ethan McLeod.
Before kick-off, supporters from both sides joined in a poignant minute’s applause, prior to Ethan’s mother Cheryl delivering a heartfelt speech thanking everyone associated with both Macclesfield and Wolves for their heartfelt contributions in making the memorial fixture possible.
Ethan, began his career with Wolves in their academy, from which their U21 side represented Wanderers, featuring the brother of Ethan, Conor.
John Rooney selected his most fulsome side yet, with only two trialists named from the off as our pre-season campaign progresses and the beginning of the 2026/27 season draws ever nearer.
Once underway, Macclesfield settled quickly and controlled possession during the opening exchanges. The hosts worked the ball effectively down both flanks, with several dangerous deliveries into the penalty area, although clear-cut opportunities proved difficult to create in a relatively quiet first quarter of an hour.
An early setback came moments later though, when Luke Matheson required treatment and was withdrawn through injury as a precaution after 18 minutes, with Ammar Dyer introduced in his place.
Two minutes later, however, the Silkmen found the breakthrough in fitting circumstances. As applause echoed around the stadium in the 20th minute in tribute to Ethan, Luke Duffy’s set-piece was met by Sam Heathcote, who headed home to make it 1-0.
Macclesfield continued to dominate as Luke Duffy, operating from the right, caused constant problems for the Wolves defence with a string of dangerous deliveries. A lively trialist wearing number nine repeatedly threatened with runs in behind, while Wolves ‘keeper Lewys Benjamin denied him from close range just before the interval with an outstanding save.
The Silkmen doubled their advantage three minutes before half-time, with a sense of déjà vu. Duffy’s corner found Heathcote once more, who headed home his second of the afternoon to send Macclesfield into the break with a deserved 2-0 lead.
One change was made at the break by John Rooney, having previously made wholesale half time changes in our first three pre-season fixtures, which saw only Carlos Dos Santos introduced in place of trialist previously wearing number five.
After the interval, Macc maintained control, supported by seven changes on the hour mark, which saw the inclusion of Theo Chapman, Luis Lacey and five trialists in place of Lincoln McFayden, George Wilson, Fin Shrimpton, Luke Duffy, Sam Heathcote, Jon Ustabasi and trialist wearing 9. The changes predominantly served the purpose of sharing out minutes, but also provided more than adequate defensive support in the latter stages.
Carlos dos Santos immediately impressed with a superb switch of play that created an opportunity for Dyer, though not coming to anything. Nevertheless, the Silkmen continued to enjoy the majority of possession in the second half.
Wolves managed to pull one back through Nathan Fraser, who halved the deficit in the 64th minute, tapping home from close range. The visitors grew into the contest from that point onwards, with Hayden Ford and Junior Mathai both threatening, though the Silkmen stood firm.
A lovely moment for all associated with Macclesfield came two minutes before the end of proceedings, when Danny Elliott was introduced, six months on from major knee surgery following his extensive injury suffered on Boxing Day of last year against Buxton at the Leasing.com Stadium. The Club’s leading goalscorer’s entrance was naturally met by an incredible reception from the Silkmen faithful as he made his first steps towards match fitness.
Attendance: 731
MOTM: Sam Heathcote
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